Sebastian Vettel believes it will be close between Red Bull and Mercedes in Korea (Image: Mark Thompson)

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Sebastian Vettel admits his Formula One domination is under threat from British ace Lewis Hamilton.

Despite winning the last three races from pole – and the most recent in Singapore by the biggest margin of the year – the world champion fears it could all come to an end in tomorrow's Korean Grand Prix.

Hamilton topped both of yesterday's practice sessions – and only a late run by the Red Bull ace split the Brit and his Silver Arrows team-mate Nico Rosberg.

"There is some room for improvement but it will be close with Mercedes," said Vettel.

"Of course we're not sure what others were doing with their fuel loads but it seems close.

"Singapore was exceptional in many ways.

"It is still quite close here and qualifying will be tight, especially as Mercedes always perform very well in qualifying."

(Image: Mark Thompson)

Ahead of the 14th round Hamilton revealed his five-year plan to scale the planet's greatest mountains, culminating in a march up Everest.

"I plan to climb a lot of mountains over the next five to 10 years," said Hamilton.

"Eventually the big one at the end.

"It’s just something I like to do but I'm going to do it for charity.

"I'm working with UNICEF and Save the Children.

"I've climbed the 20th highest in the world, Kinabalu and I'll do Kilimanjaro, Mt Fuji, Mt Blanc and probably one in the States. Alaska is probably a bit too dangerous!”

"But then definitely I drive my car and I know that in certain places it's pretty weak."

If Vettel does collect his sixth victory in eight races there is one thing he can be almost certain of – there will be no return of the boo-boys that have haunted him at five races this year around the world.

It will not be down to his popularity, just that the South Korean race is contested before the smallest crowd of the year, barely 70,000.